Small boat Channel

[[2574]]

I'm talking about the Portsmouth harbour entrance but this is applicable to all Small Boat Channels (SBC's).

Entering Portsmouth at the weekend I'm tryng to use the SBC, keeping to the starboard side. Ferry outbound, main channel toward me. In the SBC outbound, two yachts and a mobo abeam each other forcing me way outside the SBC. So I have two choices - go to main channel and take on the ferry or hold course. I hold course (better chance of survival methinks) but get a volley of abuse from the yachtie for not moving out of his way. (He'd no sails up and was correctly under power). I was a little short on options so I suppose the abuse was the lesser of the three evils. I felt a little hard done by though - was there a fourth option? And isn't it amazing how two seconds of verbal from someone can ruin the entire day - because everyone on board feels "uncomfortable" about it.

rob

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[duncan]

couldn't agree more with your last comment, and overall find this a common problem in Poole - especially when going against the majority of traffic.

It doesn't help that it probably ruined his day too - it's unlikely his crew felt happy either.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mjf]

Did you slow down?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[malcolm2]

Bin there done that, did'nt buy the t shirt but did change me underpants.

Problem particularly bad on a Sunday afternoon with the tide behind you on the ebb at 4 kts plus. With the marine light brigade all lined up across the across the channel making for Port Solent and home etc.

Not sure where you are expected to go. Outside the SB channel, beam your self up, get out and walk, or close you eyes and aim for the largest looking gap between in coming craft, engage reverse set revs for 3knots (backwards) over the ground resulting forward speed of 1 knot.

Which ever option you opt for some one will give you verbal abuse.

Maybe we need a traffic seperation scheme for inward and outward bound craft.

But would need magnetic mines between both lanes

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[PaulF]

Hi Rob,
That was not a nice situation to be in.
Have experienced similar when trying to tow a part damaged raceboat (power) back into the Marina at Cowes. A sailboat with no engine threw himself into a VERY tight bit of water endangering himself and his crew, one could almost walk ashore on boats, and he was screaming about 'water'.We had nowhere to go, so eventually he did an about turn and nearly went under the Hydrofoil who had seen us in a mess and fortunately slowed down. I normally give the sailing guys as much room as possible but this time had nowhere to go, the rescued Italian raceboat driver had a good command of Anglo -Saxon and let forth a loud obscene volley. What he said was probably correct but very embarrassing to me!!.

I wonder what would be the view of QHM Portsmouth about your experience? Sometime officialdom just quotes rules, maybe they would be more practical? Lets hope so.
Dont let it spoil your next trip though, the guy may always be an idiot.

with sympathy P.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[David_J]

We were coming out of Portsmouth last Friday, doing all the right things in the small boat channel, hardly any other boats around except some clown in a small workboat coming in, who thought it was good sport to try and force us over to shore. Its scary to think these people are allowed to walk the streets let alone navigate a boat in busy waters. Should have reported him.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[[2574]]

well I was down to about 4 knots, any slower than that and I lose sensible steerage way and become a more general hazard.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[hlb]

Dont see the problem. Yacht was under power. Just cart on regardless. Ram the bugger if need be!! A big wash always helps in these situations. Just make out like you have'nt got a clue what yer doing. This helps alot. Other ploy is grim determination. Show them who's boss. Once passed, turn round and have another go at the Ba******'s /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>If you thought my boat was dirty. You want to meet my girl friend!!
Haydn

 

[plombier]

Perhaps you should have "politely" pointed out to him that he should have been on the correct side of the SBC i.e his starboard side when exiting the harbour.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jon_bailey]

If you read the thread below you will notice that QHM responded. Why not send him PM and ask for his advice. Let us know if he sends PM because response will be interesting.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=mby&Number=504198&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&part=>http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=mby&Number=504198&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&part=</A>


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mjf]

Yep, thats the issue if you take all the way off your boat. However, my experience, in exactly this spot when faced with similar traffic / ferry issues, is to slow right down if safe to do so - make it obvious to those around you - and let them sort themselves out. Usually this means the sail boats alter course and the Mobo's slow down a little.


Michael

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Col]

And cue Solitare...............NM.

.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[[2574]]

Re: And cue Solitare...............NM.

Col,

You've lost me I'm afraid. Why cue Solitaire?

rob

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BrendanS]

Re: And cue Solitare...............NM.

He's on the new harbour patrol team, manned by volunteers, who are going to be 'assisting' skippers who appear to be unaware of the rules

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[milltech]

There seem to be some odd currents and eddies round there, not surprising really, so significant rudder corrections used to be the norm for me, I wouldn't want to slow down too much and end up beam on.



<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Solitaire]

Re: And cue Solitare...............NM.

The subject and link have already been fowarded to my fellow members as well as to QHM himself.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>

 

[alant]

The 'only' mitigating excuse the sailboat had for holding his position relative to your port side of the channel, would have been draft, due to his keel. Other than that, if you were only doing 4 knts, to maintain steerage, you were doing the correct thing & he also had a duty to avoid any possible collision. What was the tide doing at the time?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[[2574]]

We were about at the top of the tide, so we had more water than you can shake a stick at, there wasn't the great ebb rush that there often is in that spot.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Col]

Re: And cue Solitare...............NM.

Gosh!! That sounds official/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I had pretty much the same situation a few years back and I had a Yachmaster instructor on board at the time. He told me to hold my course and gave the yottie who was forcing me out of the SBC some 'advice' over the VHF. Lovely to hear the guy grovel on the airwaves

<hr width=100% size=1>